All these are the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and they were their chiefs.
Observe here, 1. That only the names of Esau's sons and grandsons are recorded, only their names, not their history; for it is the church that Moses preserves the records of, not the record of those that are without. Those elders that lived by faith alone obtained a good report. It is Sion that produces men of renown, not Seir, Psa 87:5.
Commenting on Genesis 36:9-19
And the children of Shobal were these,.... Who was the second son of Seir, and whose sons were the five following: Alvan, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shepho, and Onam; in Ch1 1:40 Alvan is called Alian, and Shepho is Shephi.
Gen 36:15-19 The Tribe-Princes Who Descended from Esau. - אלּוּפים was the distinguishing title of the Edomite and Horite phylarchs; and it is only incidentally that it is applied to Jewish heads of tribes in Zec 9:7, and Zec 12:5. It is probably derived from אלף or אלפים, equivalent to משׁפּחות, families (1Sa 10:19; Mic 5:2), - the heads of the families, i.e., of the principal divisions, of the tribe.
Commenting on Genesis 36:15-19